How to Be Appointed Administrator of Your Sister’s Intestate Estate in Maryland
Step-by-step FAQ: Getting Appointed as Administrator of an Intestate Estate in Maryland Short answer: If your sister died without a will in Maryland, you can ask the Register of Wills in the county where she lived to appoint a personal representative (often called an administrator) to open probate and settle the estate. The court follows […]
Read article →Maryland — What Notices Must be Sent to Notify Heirs When Opening Probate
How to notify heirs and interested persons when opening probate in Maryland Short answer: When you open probate in Maryland you must provide written notice to the decedent’s interested persons (heirs and known beneficiaries) and take steps to notify creditors (including publishing a notice to unknown creditors). The exact forms, method of delivery, and local […]
Read article →Maryland: What to Do If a Relative Refuses to Sign a Renunciation So You Can Be Personal Representative
What to do if a relative refuses to sign a renunciation so you can serve as personal representative in Maryland Short answer: Try to get a signed, notarized renunciation; if that fails, file for appointment with the Register of Wills or the Orphans' Court and ask the court to appoint you under Maryland probate rules. […]
Read article →Including an Out-of-State House in Your Maryland Will
Detailed Answer This section explains how a Maryland will can cover real estate that sits in another state, what limits you should expect, and practical steps to make sure your out-of-state property transfers the way you want after you die. This is general information only and not legal advice. Basic legal rule you need to […]
Read article →Maryland: First Steps to Verify Legal Ownership of a Portion of a Family Property
Detailed Answer — How to begin confirming who legally owns part of a family parcel in Maryland Short answer: Start with a county title search: find the parcel using the Maryland land records and county tax ID, then pull the recorded deed(s) and the chain of title. From there, check probate records (if your grandfather […]
Read article →Maryland: What Happens to Jointly Held Bank Accounts and Property When Someone Dies Without a Will
How Maryland law treats jointly held bank accounts and property when someone dies without a will Detailed Answer When a person dies without a will in Maryland, what happens to their bank accounts and real property depends primarily on how the asset is titled and whether it contains a beneficiary designation or survivorship interest. Maryland […]
Read article →Maryland — Reimbursable Estate Property Maintenance Expenses Before Sale
FAQ — Reimbursable expenses for maintaining estate real property before sale (Maryland) This FAQ explains what kinds of costs a personal representative, administrator, or executor commonly can track and seek reimbursement for while preserving estate real property before it is sold under Maryland probate practice. It uses common hypothetical situations to illustrate typical outcomes. This […]
Read article →Maryland: Using Wills and Beneficiary Designations to Avoid Probate
How to use wills, beneficiary designations, and other tools in Maryland to keep assets out of probate Short answer: Some assets pass outside probate (retirement accounts, life insurance, POD/TOD accounts, jointly owned property, and assets held in a trust). A will controls only probate assets. To avoid probate for specific items you must use the […]
Read article →Maryland: How to Buy Out Siblings’ Shares of a Parent’s House (Avoid Probate Sale)
How to Arrange a Buyout of Co-Heirs' Interests in a Deceased Parent’s Maryland House Detailed Answer This guide explains, in plain language, how someone in Maryland can buy the other heirs’ shares of a deceased parent’s home so the house stays in the family instead of being sold through probate or by court order. It […]
Read article →Maryland: Can an Estate Recover Money an Heir Withdrew from a Deceased Parent's Bank Account or Credit Card?
What happens if an heir withdraws money from a deceased parent's bank account or charges a credit card after death? Short answer: In Maryland the estate (through the personal representative) can usually try to recover money that was wrongfully taken after the decedent died. Remedies include asking the bank to reverse transactions, bringing a civil […]
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